Student Financial Services Specialist

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide seamless guidance to students and families across financial aid and billing matters while adhering to accountability standards that keep awarding aid and billing/collections responsibilities distinct.
• Provide accurate and timely information to current and prospective students and families regarding financial aid, billing, payment alternatives, loan programs, refunds, deadlines, and institutional policies.
• Advise students on financial deadlines, financial aid options, and eligibility and application requirements.
• Act as a functional liaison for student service innovations, exploring and supporting the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools to enhance the overall digital student experience.

Student Aid Focus

• Perform Need Analysis And Packaging For Assigned Caseload Of Prospective And Current Students With An Understanding Of The Principles Of Federal Methodology Including Evaluating and calculate awards with a thorough knowledge of and adherence to Barnard’s own policies and procedures.
• Awarding institutional and federal grants, loans and jobs.
• Estimating federal, state, and outside need-based grants and loans.
• Awarding and packaging federal, state, and institutional financial aid, and appeals.
• Maintain confidentiality of personal student financial information in compliance with FERPA and College policy.
• Monitor the appeal process; review student appeals and documents to present to the appeal committee; communicate appeal decisions to students and ensure file completion.
• Support the administration of outside scholarships, health insurance waivers, SAP, and non-custodial parent documentation.
• Represent Student Financial Services at Admissions Open Houses, tabling events, and outreach programs.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Lefrak Center for Well-being and other offices on recruitment, retention, and financial wellness initiatives.
• Serve as a point person for HEOP/CSTEP Programs: Determine eligibility for prospective HEOP students during Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) cycles; provide support and counseling to all assigned HEOP and CSTEP students, and assist the OP Office as needed.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

• Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and student account management.
• Demonstrated ability to work with complex financial systems and reconcile data accurately.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to exercise professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and student-centered service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in student accounts, financial aid, or related higher education finance role.
• Preferred: Knowledge of PowerFAIDS, Technolutions Slate, Workday, and/or other financial aid and student information systems.

Work Arrangement

This job is currently a hybrid position, but may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings and other times as directed by the supervisor.

Salary Range

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.